Botswana

The Republic of Botswana is located in Southern Africa. The landlocked nation shares its border with South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west, Zambia to the north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. It is the oldest democracy among the African countries. The capital Gaborone is located at 24 45 S, 25 55 E. The country had no defense force at the time of independence. The president, who appoints the defense council, is the commander in chief of the armed force.


HISTORY:- The first inhabitants of Botswana were the San. The region was later inhabited by the Tswana. The Ndebele tribes from the Kalahari Desert were migrating in a higher number to the region. The Boer settlers landed on the nation from Transvaal. The Zulu invasion in 1820s and Boer encroachments in 1870s and 1880s, led to a tension in the country. The country became a British protectorate in 1885. The region was then known as Bechuanaland. In 1910, the Union of South Africa was set up. But Bechuanaland was not included in the union. In 1951, A European-African advisory council was composed. In 1961, a constitution was granted to the country by the British. In 1964, Britain gave accent to the negotiation of autonomy of Botswana. In 1965, first general elections were organized. Finally on 30th September, 1966, Botswana gained independence. Seretse Khama was elected the first President of the country. The present name Botswana was given after independence within the Commonwealth.

 

GEOGRAPHY:- Botswana is a landlocked country. It is situated at 22 00 S, 24 00 E in the Southern Africa. The country possesses total 585,370 sq km land area and 15,000 sq km water area on the surface of the earth. The lowest point is located at the junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers (513 m) and the highest point is Tsodilo Hills (1,489 m). The country is mostly formed of flat to gently rolling tableland. The Kalahari Desert is located in the southwest of the country. The desert occupies almost 70% land area of the nation. The Okavango Delta, locates at the northwest is the largest inland delta of the world. A salt pan, Makgadikgadi Pan is situated at the north of Botswana.

 

CLIMATE:- The climate of Botswana is predominantly semiarid with warm winters and hot summers.

 

GOVERNMENT:- Botswana is a parliamentary republican country. The constitution was drafted on March 1965 but came into power on 30th September 1966. The legal system is based on the Roman-Dutch law and local customary code. The government responsibilities are divided into three major branches:

Executive branch consists of the President (chief of state, head of government), and cabinet. Cabinet is appointed by the President.

Legislative branch consists of the bicameral Parliament, which is further decomposed into the House of Chiefs (15 seats), and the National Assembly (63 seats).

Judicial branch consists of the High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts.

Prominent political parties are Botswana Democratic Party, Botswana National Front, Botswana Congress Party, Botswana Alliance Movement. Suffrage is universal at 18.

President  Seretse Khama Ian Khama

Vice President  Mompati Merafhe

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Botswana is divided into 9 districts:

1. Central

2. Ghanzi

3. Kgalagadi

4. Kgatleng

5. Kweneng  

6. North-East

7. North-West

8. South-East

9. Southern

And these districts are again subdivided into 28 sub-districts.

There are 5 town councils:

Francistown

Gaborone

Jwaneng

Lobatse

Selebi-Pikwe

 

CULTURE:- Galesiti Baruti, Caitlin Davies, Unity Dow, Bessie Head, Moteane Melamu

Barolong Seboni, Andrew Sesinyi, Mositi Torontle are the famous writers of Botswana. Football is the most popular sport while cricket, rugby union, softball, volleyball and athletics are also widely practiced. Kwasa Kwasa, Rock, Hip Hop are very popular genres of music in the country.

 

ECONOMY:- Botswana has one of the world's fastest growing economy. The country has been transformed from one of the poorest countries of the world to a middle-income country only after 1966. Tourism, diamonds mining and cattle are the important pillars of Botswana’s economy.

GDP/PPP (2005 est.): $16.48 billion; per capita $10,000.

Real growth rate: 3.3%.

Inflation: 8.3%.

Unemployment: 23.8% (2004).

Arable land: 1%.

Agriculture: livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts.

Labor force: 288,400 formal sector employees (2004); agriculture n.a., industry n.a., services n.a.

Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles.

Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver.

Exports: $3.68 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles.

Exports - partners: European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2006)

Imports: $3.37 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products.

Imports - partners: Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%, Zimbabwe 4% (2006)

Major trading partners: European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Zimbabwe (2004).

Budget:  

Revenues: $4.741 billion

Expenditures: $3.816 billion (2007 est.)

Public debt: 5% of GDP (2007 est.)

Debt - external: $408 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Monetary unit: Pula

 

LANGUAGE:- English and Setswana are the official languages while Setswana is the national language.

Setswana 78.2%

Kalanga 7.9%

Sekgalagadi 2.8%

English 2.1% (official)

Other 8.6%

Unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

 

CITIES:- The capital Gaborone is the largest city. Other large cities are Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe, Molepolole, Kanye, Serowe, Mahalapye, Lobatse, Maun , Mochudi.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of Botswana is 1,639,131 with a growth rate of 1.434% (2008 est.).

Density per sq mi: 7

Literacy rate: 80% (2003 est.)

 

RACE:-

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%

Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%

Other (including Kgalagadi and white) 7%

 

RELIGION:-

Christian 71.6%

Badimo 6%

Other 1.4%

Unspecified 0.4%

None 20.6% (2001 census)

 

HEALTH:- The country has second highest HIV affected population.

Birth rate: 22.96 births/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 14.02 deaths/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 44.01 deaths/ 1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.16 years

Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/ woman (2008 est.) 

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 33,000 (2003 est.)

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 726

 

UNICEF:- To fight against HIV+, UNICEF provides antiretroviral treatment for HIV+ mothers. It works for the 4,700 orphans and distressed children. Measles immunization and vitamin A supplements are provided to 180,000 children. UNICEF promotes 12 preschools to modify education system. The ‘Telling the Story’ project has encouraged the children to share their school experiences.

 

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: total: 888 km (2004).

Highways: total: 10,217 km; (1999).

Ports and harbors: none.

Airports: 85 (2004 est.).

COUNTRIES    US STATES    US CITIES    CLASSIFIEDS    EVENTS    YELLOW PAGES    MAJOR CITIES    CATEGORY SITES     AVOO SEARCH     WORLD NEWS    POLLS     YSpan